The importance of voting rights

Voting is a right fought for with blood, not just in 1776 but many times after that. It was a fight fought for by African-Americans, Native Americans and women, just to name a few, but despite the upheaval required to secure the vote, first from the British and later from the U.S. government, it is a right that is highly unexercised. Statistics show that California's voter turnout is 60 percent, and that figure is sadly close to the national average. If everyone who didn't vote did, it could completely change the outcome of an election. If we ourselves don't respect this most sacred of rights, how long until those in power don't respect it either? As a first-time voter, I have placed my vote dutifully, and I urge you to do the same, whatever your political leanings.